BIRMINGHAM was awash with sound, colour and high spirits as an estimated 210,000 people enjoyed ArtsFest, celebrating the best of the city’s creativity.

BIRMINGHAM was awash with sound, colour and high spirits as an estimated 210,000 people enjoyed ArtsFest, celebrating the best of the city’s creativity.

Drawing to a finish with a screening of the closing ceremony of the Paralympics last night, crowds huddled around the big screen in Victoria Square to bid farewell to Britain’s summer of sporting glory and the UK’s largest free festival which had returned for its 15th year.

Between Friday night’s opening, with a performance of Mandala, in Chamberlain Square, and last night’s finish, hundreds of acts had taken to the stage at various venues across the city centre.

And they attracted thousands of people into Birmingham to be part of what has become a highlight on the city’s cultural calendar.

From folk, to jazz, classical to hard rock, there was something for everyone including artist displays and drama performances and dance.

A dazzling fireworks display followed a showcase of the Birmingham Royal Ballet to a packed Centenary Square on Saturday night while in Victoria Square there was standing room only at the Last Night of the Proms.

Other highlights included dance shows, dance classes, and guided photowalks around the city centre.

Art and craft workshops were also running throughout the city to allow those to take part in the creative extravaganza.

Visitors said this year’s showcase, which was bathed in sunshine all weekend, was the best yet.

Simon and Mysie Raine, from Alvechurch, said the weekend long programme showed the best of Brum.

Simon, aged 62, a quantity surveyor, said: “I always enjoy coming to ArtsFest and listening to music you wouldn’t always listen to and to see different things.”

Mysie, also 62 and retired, said: “It just shows Birmingham is a multicultural city with so many different musicians from different parts of the world.

“It’s always friendly and people are pleased to be here.”

Geoff Bowen, aged 75, from Halesowen, said he initially wanted to see a jazz performance at Symphony Hall, an Artsfest Venue, but stayed to see six different shows on Saturday and more yesterday.

The 75-year-old said: “I was born in the Jewellery Quarter so Birmingham is like home.

“This year is the best ArtsFest, the fine weather helps.

“I haven’t seen this volume of people since I was a young lad.”

David Birch, aged 22, a student from Moseley, said: “No matter what you like there’s something going on.

“I’ve been moving from one place to another all weekend just soaking it all it. The atmosphere has been brilliant.

“I even watched the ballet which isn’t my usual cup of tea but I enjoyed it. The atmosphere makes everything enjoyable. Everybody is good natured and having fun.

“This is Birmingham at its best.”

Poet Dwane Reads took to the stage in Victoria Square yesterday.

The 46-year-old from Derbyshire, who live in Stourbridge for a time, said: “You’ve got a really good mix here, there’s something for everybody, that’s the wonderful thing about Artsfest.

“It’s a privilege to do this as I used to live in Stourbridge, it’s wonderful to come back and be in Birmingham.”

Alison Sanders, a full-time mum aged 32, from Kings Heath, said: “There’s so much going on its exhausting but it’s brilliant to see so many people enjoying themselves.

“There’s a real carnival atmosphere wherever you go.

“I hadn’t been to Artsfest before so I thought I would take a look and I’ve been amazed. It’s a shame it’s only once a year.”

Sharon Lea, Strategic Director of Environment and Culture said: “Following a summer of cultural events in Birmingham as part of the Olympic celebrations, it is wonderful that the annual Artsfest event should provide the setting for so many of the closing activities.”

Birmingham City Council leader Sir Albert Bore said: “Artsfest is a celebration of the huge variety of arts and culture that exists throughout our region, including dance, drama, visual arts, live music, comedy, poetry and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

“This magnificent event would not be possible without the continued support of all of the artists, arts organisations, venues and volunteers who give up their time to make ArtsFest such a success.”